Alphacool Eisblock Aurora Acryl GPX-N RTX 3070 Reference with Backplate (11934)

The Alphacool Eisblock Aurora Acryl GPX-N RTX 3070 Reference with Backplate is a GPU water block for Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 graphics cards built on the Reference Design board. The Inno3D iCHILL X3 and the Inno3D Twin X2 are two of them. This article is delivered with a backplate, black aluminum. The Founders Edition does NOT correspond to the Reference Design, so the block does not fit it: Alphacool's cooler for that card is the Eisblock Aurora Acryl GPX-N RTX 3070 Founders Edition.

Properties

Fits

GeForce RTX 3070, Reference board

Cold plate

Copper, chrome-plated per Alphacool's current data sheet

Top

Acrylic

Ports

4 x G1/4

Backplate

Aluminum, black, included

Lighting

11 digital aRGB LEDs, 5V

Compatibility

Alphacool lists these cards for this block:

• Inno3D GeForce RTX 3070 iCHILL X3, 8GB GDDR6 (C30703-08D6X-1710VA38)
• Inno3D GeForce RTX 3070 iCHILL X4, 8GB GDDR6 (C30704-08D6X-1710VA35)
• Inno3D GeForce RTX 3070 Twin X2 OC, 8GB GDDR6 (N30702-08D6X-1710VA32L)
• Inno3D GeForce RTX 3070 Twin X2, 8GB GDDR6 (N30702-08D6-1710VA32L)

The block was designed for one special PCB layout, and card makers sometimes revise a board so that a cooler no longer fits later models. Before ordering, compare your card and its PCB number with the pictures in Alphacool's Graphics Card Configurator, or look it up in its List of Compatibility for Nvidia graphic cards. At launch, when only two of the cards listed here were named, Alphacool wrote that it was currently checking other PCB designs from various manufacturers and that more compatible models will follow in this list. A note beside the Nvidia list said that RTX 3070 cards will be added after their release.

More performance

During the development of this graphic card GPU block, Alphacool's line was "we wanted to further increase the performance". The first step was to move the cooler closer to the individual components by reducing the thermal pads. Next, Alphacool reduced the thickness of the copper block itself, and the water flow inside the cooler has also been optimized. According to Alphacool, all important components, such as the voltage transformers (voltage converters) and the memory, are now significantly better and more effectively cooled by the water. It says all this ensures a significant increase in cooling performance. Alphacool's launch text for the block, which this page carried until now, gave the figures: pads of 1 mm and a nickel-plated block only 5.5 mm thick instead of 7 mm. With experience of over 16 years, it says, it has the ability to create GPU blocks that represent high quality and fantastic performance, and that this perfectly describes the Aurora Acryl GPX Eisblock.

Lighting and design

Alphacool sums the block up as one that combines style with performance and extensive digital RGB lighting. The cooler has been designed so that lighting is more important than on the previous models. Addressable digital RGB LEDs are embedded directly into the cooling block and run along its entire length. The effect is an illumination of the whole block, and no corner or edge remains unlit by the aRGB LEDs. The new design is more angular, with all edges beveled. This promotes better light diffusion in the water cooler, due to the reflections on these bevels. In addition, they create various contours, which Alphacool says give the cooler its very own unique identity.

Copper or aluminum?

Of course, Alphacool only uses copper for its water coolers and all water-bearing parts. Its current page and data sheet list this cooler as chrome-plated copper. Alphacool says chrome plating is much harder than nickel plating and therefore less sensitive to acids, scratches and damage, and that it eliminates the risk of chipping. It adds that chrome looks more homogeneous and gives a shine nickel cannot. The launch text described the copper as nickel-plated. Compared to its predecessor models, it said, the plating had been improved even further, which considerably increased the acid resistance. This, it said, means the nickel should resist flaking. Why does Alphacool rely on copper instead of aluminum? Simply, it says, copper has almost twice the thermal conductivity of aluminum and is therefore clearly the better material for water cooling.

Terminal and markings

Is there anything else new? The block also relies on Alphacool's new patented stop fittings (the screw plugs), which sit flush with the surface of the terminal. The Alphacool logo now sits in the corner on the top and is fully illuminated. On the front of the terminal you can see the corresponding names of the compatible graphic card types, and of course the digital LEDs light these as well. IN and OUT are now marked by small triangles. Alphacool calls them easily recognizable and says they fit perfectly into the entire aesthetics of the graphic card water cooler.

Alphacool describes the block as a complete redevelopment of its previous graphics card water coolers. In its words, no technical compromises were made, but the entire technical know-how flowed into the development and implementation.

What the loop needs

The block has four G1/4 threads. Two take the compression fittings for your tube size, which are not in the box, and the other two take the two screw plugs that are, screwed in with the enclosed plug tool. The lighting runs on 5V through a 3-Pin JST connector. The included Digital-RGB adapter goes between that connector and a digital RGB controller, which is not included, and its remaining 3-pin plug takes additional digital RGB LEDs. Thermal pads, thermal grease, screws and washers also come with the block.

Technical data cooler

Technical data backplate

Notes

• Alphacool asks that the block be used only with clear transparent water cooling fluids. It warns that the particles and additives in Pastel liquids can clog and permanently damage radiators, pumps, coolers and hoses, and that this can void the manufacturer's warranty.
• Remove the original cooler on an antistatic mat and clean the card of thermal paste and pad residues before fitting the block.
• Spread the thermal paste on the GPU in a thin layer, less than a millimeter thick, so the surrounding components stay clean.

In the box

• 1x Eisblock Aurora Acryl GPX-N RTX 3070 (Reference)
• 1x Backplate
• 2x 15x40x1mm Pad
• 1x 15x28x1mm Pad
• 1x 8x77x1mm Pad
• 1x 30x30x2mm Pad
• 1x 8x77x3mm Pad
• 2x 15x40x3mm Pad
• 1x 15x28x3mm Pad
• 4x M2x5 screws
• 4x M2x5 washers
• 4x M2x11 screw
• 1x thermal grease
• 1x plug tool
• 2x screw plugs
• 1x Digital-RGB adapter

Alphacool's manual and data sheet are each a PDF download. Its 3D model of the block is an STP file, and the 3D viewer shows it from every side.